Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma’s record partnership put the Proteas in a firm position on day three of the second Test against Australia in Hobart. 

The Proteas started their innings well after bowling Australia out for 85 on day one, with Dean Elgar and Stephen Cook putting on a decent partnership. The pair started to look solid before things turned around dramatically.  Mitchell Starc picked up both batsman in the 19th over as the score went from 43-0 to 44-2 in just four balls.

With two experienced batsmen at the crease in Hashim Amla and JP Duminy, South Africa were in dire need of steadying the ship. This was not the case with Duminy unable to replicate his heroics from the first Test match, falling in Starc’s next over for 1.

Amla, who was starting to build momentum, struggled to get partnerships going as Hazlewood also got in on the action, removing captain Faf du Plessis for seven. Amla was then joined by Bavuma, who played an important supporting role, as he crept closer to a much-needed half-century.

Runs started to flow freely before the 33-year-old threw his wicket away on 47, leaving Bavuma and De Kock at the crease with 113-5 on the board. The pair took the attack to Australia, scoring 144, the highest sixth-wicket partnership by South Africa in Australia. This saw Bavuma (74) get his second half-century of the series and De Kock (104) his second Test century of his career.

This proved to be the deciding partnership of the day as the removal of both De Kock and Bavuma, led to the collapse of the South Africa tail for measly 34 runs. The visitors ended their innings on 326, setting a lead of 241.

Australia will continue day four on 121-2, trailing by 120 runs.